Following the November general election, I wrote a letter to our new governor, congratulating him on his victory. I assured him of the prayers of Kentucky Baptists and also encouraged him on areas where Kentucky Baptists agree with him and identified areas where we will respectfully disagree with him. Christians have a long history of both encouraging and challenging our elected officials.

I urge you to join me in praying for the governor in his leadership role as well as for a spiritual revival in our great state.

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Dear Governor Beshear, Congratulations on your election as the 63rd governor of Kentucky. This is a great honor. I am certain your mind, and life, ran at break-neck speed as you made all the necessary adjustments and appointments prior to your Dec. 10 inauguration. As you continue to fill positions and prepare for the legislative session that begins Jan. 7, I am writing you on behalf of the 2,350 churches of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

We are grateful for your work as attorney general in bringing sex traffickers to justice and protecting innocent women. We are also thankful for your work to curb the opioid crisis which has taken so much from so many. As you serve the people of Kentucky, I want to offer you three assurances on behalf of Kentucky Baptists.

First, I can assure you that Kentucky Baptists will pray for you. As followers of Christ we are instructed in scripture to pray for those who are in authority. We will pray for God to grant you wisdom in the fulfillment of your duties. Romans 13:3 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 speak to the responsibility of governing authorities as they are to care for the people under their watch. We pray your administration will help Kentuckians.

Second, I can assure you of the support of Kentucky Baptists on areas where we share a common concern. Your work to stop sex trafficking and curb addiction is evidence you value human life. We, too, abhor the sex traffic trade that occurs inside our borders and decry the drug epidemic. We appreciate your efforts on both fronts.

Finally, we will disagree with you clearly but respectfully on issues that advance a pro-abortion position or an expanded gambling advocacy. We will also encourage you to distance your affiliation with pro-abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood and NARAL. We believe God values every human life from conception to the coffin and so should we. We also believe it is our biblical responsibility to be a voice for those who have no voice (Proverbs 31:9). We try to reflect this conviction through ministries like Sunrise Children’s Services.

Once again, Gov. Beshear, be assured of the prayers of Kentucky Baptists. We love Kentucky and believe God has richly blessed the Bluegrass. We pray He will guide your leadership as governor.

Sincerely,

Dr. Todd Gray

KBC Executive Director-Treasurer